Thomson

It’s a heck of a way to run a pre-election campaign. On the eve of an expected election, politicians usually spend their time playing up good news, downplaying the bad, shaking hands and kissing babies.

Gallery: Selling kids on veggies and fruit

Helpful hints to encourage eating more of the good stuff.

An article published in the February 2012 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by Jennifer Savage and colleagues reported that serving smaller entree portions to kids ages three to five is one way to increase fruit and vegetable intake.

If you offer your child a half portion of macaroni and cheese or half of a sandwich, she will likely have room to eat the raw veggies and dip or fruit salad you prepared.

This study also found kids eat fewer overall calories, which could be an important strategy if your child is overweight.